Kalistani Major History

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Premier of the Republic Dissolves Socialist Party
"Party Unity" declared a fraud, Institutionalists reform as Party
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 1, 5412


Premier of the Republic Ingrid Howard announcing New Elections in coming months

"The notion of Party Unity is a fraud," began Premier Ingrid Howard, as she introduced a bill to officially bar remnants of the Socialist Party from Office for a period of 25 years. "The so-called Orthodox faction has made government in Kalistan an impossibility. They have shown no interest in coming to a negotiated settlement of our intraparty disagreements, and as long as we hold the majority in the National Assembly, we are in no mood to offer an olive branch to that nest of criminality that the Orthodox Faction represents." Howard then declared the Socialist Party officially dissolved, and has agreed with remaining Institutionalist Leaders to reform as the Institutionalist Party of Kalistan, and then hold new elections to officially reseat the 27 seats which have sat vacant since Orthodox Deputies were locked out of the National Assembly.

"This whole mess started when certain Socialists were unhappy with measures the Institutionalists took to ensure political stability and regularity in Kalistan," said Howard. "The next four years, these malcontents and dead enders have made life miserable for the people of Kalistan, and have been responsible for more than their fair share of the political violence that has plagued this country. Today is the day we put a stop to it."

The new Orthodox Leader, Malcolm Reny, who rose to prominence after the death of former Faction leader Chris MacInnis last month, called the Premier's move a "powergrab" and said Howard was bent on ending political democracy in Kalistan. "What about the commitment to disagreement in Kalistan," said Reny. "We disagree with the moves her Faction has carried out since the collapse of the Conservative Party. And we said so. We tried to get them to move off the position of Lifetime Presidents. She would not budge. We tried to get her to meet with us after each provocation. She said she would see all our leaders in jail as rioteers. What is left for us? This is nothing short of an institutionalist coup!"

The move to disband the Party came after a recent poll which shows that more than 60% of the population is tired and afraid of the political conflicts that rage almost nightly in Kalistan's Cities. "The police are becomming harder to deal with," said one Kaliburg resident. "They are just as frazzled I would imagine as the rest of us are." A resident who lost his store in Sulari to a firebomb thrown by convicted Institutionalist Arsonist Mica Amos said "I just wish these people would pick just one gang of thugs to run the damn government. Business has been stalled for years and luckily my shop was insured, and I got out of business, because prices are beginning to drop through the floor as nobody can spend their money for fear of running into a riot."

Colonel Ryan Coswell of the Kalistani Regular Force delivered a statement on the conflict in Kalistan. "The civil disorder in Kalistan remains at low intensity, and is confined primarily to cities. The Regular Force remains on alert, but has been ordered to act only in instances of severe destruction or violence, and then only at the request of the District Governments and the local police force. Consequently, use of the military has only been authorized one time, last month, to calm the demonstrations in Kaliburg. The Military will otherwise remain outside of this struggle."

Analysts are beginning to consider the source of the conflict, and trace its origins to the capturing of the Government by the Conservative Party of Kalistan, who aimed to militarize the police and suspend civil liberties. The reaction of the Socialist Party at that time also contributed to the current chaos, because many of the institutions the Party could have used to settle the political conflict down have been disbanded. 2 of Kalistan's fleets remain in Lourenne, while the Militia was never re-enstated, and the semi-standing Regular Force only renelisted a fraction of the soldiers, sailors and airmen whose contracts ended when the Conservatives changed the terms of service. Consequently, when Institutionalists proposed significant changes to the Constitution, and a group of Socialists protested, there was nothing to stop the situation from igniting the powder keg of factional struggle which had been bubbling just under the surface of the Socialist Party for about 60 years, through urban renewal and military modernization. "The Socialist Party has been an unstable coalition of Institutionalists, actual socialists and Left-liberals for generations," said Professor Dianne Candy of Kaliburg Republican Univesity in Kaliburg. "What's amazing is that it has lasted this long, and that more people aren't dead."

Following the dissolution of the Socialist Party, Kaliburg, Sulari, and Port Swedes suffered another night of burning and street fighting, with the over all death toll rising to 135 following additional clashes late last month.

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Institutionalists Begin moving toward a Monarchy
Long awaited reforms stirring the Nation back to Life
Kaliburg, Ananto
June 1, 5456


Nicolette Ananto, Current President of the Republic and Head of House Ananto, moves into position to become Empress

The Institutionalist Party of Kalistan, fresh off an early election victory, set in motion the gears of Restoration earlier today with a bill that re-establishes Nobility, and confers rights upon that Nobility. This bill is aimed specifically to give the National Assembly the authority to return the Monarchy, a long held goal of Institutionalists in Kalistan during the long dormant period of Institutionalist Government. The current speaker of the Institutionalist Party, and Premier of the Republic Michael Johnson, has declared this term to be the one where the Monarchy is re-established. "The primary task before this Government is to transition the regime to the Empire," said Johnson at a press conference following the bill's proposal. "Many decades have passed since the Institutionalists began working on this, and we have actually gone through several presidents who have themselves been reluctant to end the Republic, but with the accession of Nicolette Ananto to her Majority and election to the office of President, all parties have agreed that now is the best time we will see in a long time to put an Ananto back onto the throne as Hereditary Empress of Ananto and Kalistan."

Despite her age and limited public portfolio to date, Nicolette Ananto already has a reputation as a humanitarian, a conservationist, and an astute and curious executive. Scion of the name Ananto and only child, Ananto has inherited the legacy of the Imperial Line directly passed down to her from the last sitting Emperor and Empress William and Rivière Ananto nearly 200 years ago. As a teenager, Nicolette was responsible for organizing and conducting a wetlands restoration project in the Yoshimi Delta which aimed at rehabilitating a native fish species long thought to be extinct in the estuary.

During college, Ananto spent her free time working with at a small local charity that focuses on homelessness prevention, and then joined the NSP following college where she spent four years maintaining the National Maglev line in Odufaray. She obtained a Philosophy Doctorate from Kaliburg Republican University in Kaliburg in 5451, and has worked at a public policy institute for five years before being elected President in the recent elections. Ananto has personally donated more than 25 million rubles of the Ananto family fortune to various charities that focus on famine relief abroad, and also serves on the Board of Directors for Women Universal, a non profit organization that provides grants to capitalize female entrepreneurs who are looking to start socially conscience businesses in Kalistan, Northern Seleya, Dovani and Keris. She enjoys music, film, art, surfing, and travel, and is a very skilled bowler, placing 3rd overall in last year's national championship tournament.

Ananto, 25, is unmarried. When asked if she intends to get married, she said "I have been too busy to spend a lot of time or energy on romance. I do have friends and a social life, but to be honest, these days, things get complicated very quickly, and many of the people I have been interested in I find are only interested in me because of my name. I imagine that life will become even busier and complicated now that I have been elected President, so maybe someday." As she now prepares to become the first Empress in more than 160 years, the pressure will be on for her to find a partner and produce heirs, but Ananto remains circumspect about the potential. "It's really not that important for me. I know that heirs is something that is important for others, but we'll take things as they come."

Premier Michael Johnson stated that it is his goal to crown the Empress within 6 years.

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ODEN-K to ramp up production
Focus on "Natural" substances to regain market Share
Dahreil, Ananto
January 18, 5457


George Gutierrez, local member of the Ananto Growers' Syndicate, measures quality of this season's crop

ODEN-K announced a major investment effort to jumpstart the nation's flagging drug production and manufacture chain. Currently ODEN only exists in Hutori, Dolgava, and Kalistan, but years of status quo orientation has left Kalistan's branch much reduced compared to its former glory days. New CEO and Director Yvette Marcus seeks to reverse this drift into oblivion by going after major investments, both in the Cartel and in the manufacturing facilities that process, package and distribute the drugs in Kalistani markets and make them available to world purchasers.

"Kalistan remains the leader over all, though of course, we don't compete with our partners where they have the competitive advantage," said Marcus in an interview for Grower, the trade periodical for the Kalistani Growers' Syndicate. "That said, this year we have a major capital generating campaign scheduled, where we look to raise ₭15 billion to build an endowment that will make funds available through grants and partnerships to local and District Growers Associations, as well as other ODEN countries. The strategic aim of these partnerships is to reconvert crop land to production of marijuana, opium, coca leaf, ergot, psilocybin and mescaline, increase production and improve distribution to lower costs to producers and consumers while improving quality. We also want to encourage farmers to use sustainable fertilizers, and reduce the use of pesticides and fungicides on their crops to ensure higher quality of product, even if it means lower yields. The goal is to acquire the best quality materials for our drug industries. That takes money, that takes imagination, and that takes diversification."

The Government of Kalistan no longer directly contributes to, or oversees any part of ODEN, but has granted the Cartel a virtual monopoly over production, distribution and sale of all recreational and therapeutic drugs within Kalistan. Institutionalist Minister of the Agriculture Holly Ulysses said "ODEN has a long track record of responsible corporate behavior, with or without oversight by the Kalistani Government, and while our Government doesn't explicitly encourage drug use among the citizens of Kalistan, the way the Socialist governments of the past seemed to, nonetheless, we also firmly believe in the principle of individual responsibility for individual choices, and seek to help Kalistani citizens remain safe when they are exercising those choices. ODEN has long been committed to quality and affordability, and their work has long stood as a pillar for the Kalistani Economy, and the Government of Kalistan tacitly endorses those fundamentals."

Marcus continued, "The capital campaign is expected to last through the rest of this year, and then we expect to be able to fund about ₭750 million a year in projects from the endowment. Our main funding priorities involve helping startups through the Growers' Syndicates, encouraging sustainable planting, fertilizing, harvesting and distribution systems, helping farmers acquire necessary farm and irrigation equiptment, and generally expanding both drug cultivation and distribution infrastructure. The funds from the endowment will be available to all ODEN countries, but priority will go to Kalistani projects and operations. We obviously also encourage other countries to join ODEN (treaty link http://classic.particracy.net/viewtreaty...atyid=4152) and look forward to the opportunity to helping other nations get their own drug industries off the ground."

The capital campaign will kick off on January 31 of this year, and will involve major marketing to both large institutional investment groups as well as individual donors. Donation to the capital campaign is open to investors in all ODEN countries, as well as investors in all AESA Nations, of which only Kalistan is a member of ODEN.

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President Ananto makes pitch for Maglev in Ananto
Long stalled rail project on Island still remains uncertain
Kaliburg Ananto
January 26, 5457


President of the Republic Ananto calls lack of maglev infrastructure on Ananto a "travesty"

President of the Republic Nicolette Ananto emerged from high level meetings with Ananto's investment community with a proposal to complete the Ananto Branch of the national MagLev system completed on the mainland over 100 years ago. "For too long, Ananto citizens have been using old infrastructure," said President Ananto. "It's time this Nation invest in the people of this Island, It's time we build the Ananto Maglev line. Rge fact that there is no magnetic levitation high speed trains in Ananto should be seen by all of us for what it is: a complete travesty."

The President outlined the stumbling blocks for building an island wide system in Ananto. "The advantages that the Mainland had, we do not possess on Ananto," she said. "Nearly all the miles in Suldanor and Odufaray, for example, were built on flat stable land. Vrassa's line served as a bit of a challenge, but certainly not one that was fully insurmountable. And that railroad created a virtuous cycle of use which funded expansion to Vrassa City, into Neveras, and to all major cities and towns on the Mainland. Yet, here on Ananto, we face volcanic soil, extremely difficult terrain and geology, swamps, and vast expanses of areas which are only lightly populated, and therefore wouldn't be entirely cost effective."

But, the President says, the cost shouldn't be the primary driving factor. "I want to make clear that this is not about cost," said Ananto. "Cost is what has prevented us from moving forward. But from now on, we need to look at the benefit side of the equation. The standard of living of the people of Ananto could be dramatically improved with the availability of access to high speed transportation. It would cut travel time from Eveari down a full two hours, from Dulnerstaad down by an hour and three quarters, from Bozo down 6 hours, and from Luxon, down by seven hours. This would allow people to commute for work into Kaliburg from further out, and would spur local economies through tourism and direct, clean and efficient links to major transportation hubs in The City."

The Investment community, for their part, reported that they were cautiously optimistic that the Ananto MagLev project could theoretically get off the ground in the coming years. "With the support of the President, we believe we could improve the capital forecast for the MagLev rather quickly, " said Marian Smythe, speaker for a local capital group called AnantoTech. "It would obviously take several rounds of investing to raise enough capital to commit to a project like this. The Republican National bank may also see it within their purview to lend us money for start up capital as well. But The President is correct: We do face a number of challenges, which will make this one of the more expensive public works projects this country has ever undertook and benefits aside, it is those costs which have so far prevented this project from even getting off the ground." While Odfaray's rail line alone cost the company building it most than 160 Billion in initial outlays, it is expected that Ananto's project will surpass the 250 billion mark, just to get started, and without significant investment, this project is not possible.

The President called for an increased public push for the MagLev in Ananto. "Budgetting is about priorities. We show our priorities by what we fund. Let's make the MagLev in Ananto a priority. I know that the Districts like to cut taxes, but even a contribution of 300 Rubles from each man, woman and child, might be enough to get this project started. And we will do all we can to help move this project forward."

Whether the President's efforts are successful remains to be seen.

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Institutionalists Move Imperial Establishment Bills
Pair of bills aim to re-establish Empire, name N. Ananto Empress
Kaliburg Ananto,
March 25, 5457


Nicolette Ananto, set to be crowned Empress of (re-established) Ananto and Kalistan

The head of House Ananto and current President of Republic Nicolette Ananto is set to oversee the end of the Fifth Kalistani Republic and the re-establishment of the Empire. Institutionalist Party Leadership has launched the enabling act to formally end the Republican Constitution and re-establish the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, which went out of effect more than 160 years ago. The Republican inter-regnum has been fairly eventless, and though the Socialist Party dominated much of the period, the Institutionalists returned to power following widescale protests against the Socialist Party's inability to resolve the urban renewal crisis in Kalistan. Since being in power, the Institutionalists have sought a decent candidate to restore the Empire and they have found this in the person of Nicolette Ananto, 34, of Eveari.

Institutionalist Speaker Michael Johnson, who is shepherding the Regime transition through the National Assembly is widely expected to become Chancellor of the restored Empire. While the Empress will be nominally the head of Government, political authority will lie with Johnson and the cabinet, with the Empress retaining final veto power over acts of the National Assembly, and Johnson governing in the Empress' name. Officially, this arrangement is identical to the previous Empire, and makes Kalistan a constitutional monarchy.

"It is important that the relationship between National Assembly and the Crown retain the character of democratic support," said Johnson. "We have kept the previous arrangement that brought Kalistan a lot of stability in the past through four generations of Anantos. In this arrangement, the Empire and the office of Head of State, while residing with Ananto and the heirs of the sitting Empress and Emperor, is ratified by the National Assembly. The Assembly also retains the ability to vacate the Title of Empress or Emperor. These powers are merely nominal of course: the Sovereign of the Empire is the Empress, and we govern in her name and under her direction, and though there may be political competition in the National Assembly, it should never touch the person or the office of the Empress."

Along with the changes in the character of the National Government, the Assembly is also approving changes to District Governments, as they are once more becoming non-hereditary Duchies, to be governed by viceroys named Dukes and Duchesses. Each Duchy is further divided into Counties, to be governed by Counts and Countesses, and several cities will revert to Free City Status, including Kaliburg-Port Davon, Sulari, and Gendaris, to be governed by Mayors who fall directly under the direct administration of the Empress. Furthermore, Kalistan is to receive a Grand Duke, who oversees the four mainland duchies in Kalistan, while the Empress is to receive the title Grand Duchess of Ananto. All offices are appointed by the Empress, and answer to the Government above them.

"Kalistan is used to this system," said Johnson. "It was in place for about a hundred and fifty years. But beyond that, it is merely an imperial administrative system of subnational units grafted on top of the current republican structure which has existed in Kalistan for thousands of years. The only additional offices are the Grand Dukes, the Counties and the Free Cities. We don't expect much discord around this regime change, given that all school children themselves are very familiar with the Imperial Structure as it is part of basic civics class."

The Imperial Enabling Acts are expected to pass easily through the Assembly and the Empire is to be officially re-established on December 1, 5457.

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Preparing for a Change
First Official Photos of Future Empress Released
Kaliburg, Ananto
September 5457



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Nicolette Ananto, future Empress of Ananto and Kalistan from first official Photo Shoot

As the Sun slowly sets on the Republic, fashion photographer Michele de la Guerre paid a visit to the President of the Republic's home in Eveari to take the first official portraits of the soon to be Empress of Ananto and Kalistan, Nicolette Ananto for Fashion magazine La Moda. The results were a stunning set of portraits that captures the scion of the ancient House at her pinnacle of youth and beauty. The 34 year old President and soon to be monarch sat for two sessions with the famed photographer and was welcomed to utilize the crown jewelry that was currently held in the Vault below the family's property.

"We made sure we had plenty of wonderful diffused light," said de la Guerre. "Nicolette, she has this natural glow to her; it complements her obvious natural beauty. She was such an easy subject to shoot, and took direction very well. She will make a wonderful Empress, and will most certainly be sought after wherever she goes."

President Ananto said, "I can honestly say that dressing up that formally is completely ridiculous. I normally wear clothes that are simpler. But Michele said, in his Canrille way, 'Madame, this is an opportunity to capture an image for Posterity.' I will have all kinds of time to take photos in jeans. But my time as a civilian is almost over. So I went along with it. It's fun to play dress up I suppose."

As the Kalistani Republic ends and the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan is re-established, Ananto's life is expected to change dramatically. She is enjoying her last few months without the ceremony that attends an Imperial Majesty. "I kind of wanted to travel," Ananto says with some regret. "I will have to hold off on that I suppose, at least until after they crown me. And then, of course, I likely won't travel anywhere without all the fuss. But it was, you might say, the role I was born to play. So I embrace my fate."

Ananto says she does plan to make an unofficial stop in Lourenne before the coronation for a short holiday. "I'm taking a week off in October," said Ananto. "I'm going incognito. Even though we've done these portraits, I don't look a lot like that without makeup and hair, so, I'm hoping I'm still not recognizable yet, enough to kind of blend in in Eroncourt." Ananto plans to do some shopping before returning to Kalistan to prepare for her coronation in late December.

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Empress Nicolette I Ananto Crowned Empress of Ananto and Kalistan
Coronation is greeted with celebrations in Ananto, Sulari and Vrassa City
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 1, 5458


Empress Nicolette I Ananto, Empress of Ananto and Kalistan, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Countess of Davon and Eveari, Sovereign of the Empire

Empress Nicolette I Ananto was crowned today in a public coronation ceremony by the Head of Government, the newly named Chancellor of the Empire Michael Johnson. Empress Nicolette's coronation caps a decades long initiative on the part of the Institutional Party to restore the Empire and place the Anantos back onto the Throne of Ananto and Kalistan. "We are quite pleased with the choice of the People of Kalistan in our sovereign," said Chancellor Johnson. "Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress will serve as the face and voice of this Empire overseas as Kalistan rebuilds its widely respected reputation among other countries. The people are ready for the Empire, and in Her Imperial Majesty, we have an Empress we are very proud of."

Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress has spent the last several years formally training in Public Policy and Public Administration to prepare for her role as Final Arbiter of the Law in Kalistan. "We fully expect that the Empress will want to take an active role in the formulation of our National and International Policies, and I look forward to working very closely with her on all matters of National importance," said Johnson. Asked if he is to become a noble because of his role, he noted, "My office is a political office. I serve in an advisory role to the Empress, and must stand for election each term, so nobility is not in the cards for me. At the end of the day, all decisions emanate from the person of Her Imperial Majesty, and it falls on me to carry out her will as faithfully to my understanding of her desires as possible."

Following the Coronation, the newly crowned monarch was offered the opportunity to speak to the assembled crowd of government officials, public persons, and Kalistani Citizens who were gathered at the Kaliburg National Assembly for the event. "Kalistanis, all. We thank you for this opportunity to represent your hopes and dreams, and to serve you as your face and voice. Though we may no longer walk among you, our thoughts shall always dwell on the General Will and the Common Good for the People of this Empire. We shall strive to always elevate you to those of other nations, to always represent you in the best possible light, and to never tire of fighting for your interests. We share this mutual ambition: We seek to see our Nation and its people prosper, in tranquility and dignity, and we will not shirk our responsibility to you, our People. Kalistan will once more take our place at the front of the movements for peace, ecological sustainability, financial responsibility, cultural and social progression, human rights, and fair trade. We ask for your faith in us and in our Government, and we promise to you that we will never knowingly do anything to break that faith that you have bestowed in us. We wish you peace and good fortune in this coming year, and look forward to the next opportunity we shall have to speak with you."

The assembled crowd broken into polite but reserved applause for the Empress' speech. Following the ceremony, as the Empress posed for photos on the throne, she began conducting business with the Chancellor and the Royal Council of Ministers. Her first official act was to name personal secretary and close advisor Donna Green as Grand Duchess of Kalistan, marking the position going forward as a kind of viceroyalty. Duchess Green is expected to nominate candidates, likely Institutionalist Party Loyalists, to the post of Duke for the four Kalistani Duchies, while the Empress will retain the title of Grand Duchess of Ananto. The Dukes will then be charged to name Counts to the various counties on the Mainland, while Counties in Ananto will go to the Empress' direct nominations. Additionally, the Mayors of the various free Cities on both the Mainland and Ananto are expected to remain in place over the transition, and report directly to the Empress.

Celebrations following the Coronation spread throughout various cities in both Ananto and on the Mainland. The largest celebrations were held in areas where the Empress enjoys strongest personal support- Kaliburg, Eveari and Luxon all had the biggest celebrations of the affair. Sulari, Vrassa City, and Eshar also hosted large Parties to welcome the Empress and to officially kick off the Imperial Period, all of which featured music, food, alcohol and lots of dancing. The festive atmosphere spread to other towns in Kalistan, though formal festivities were not arranged. Bars across the Mainland offered drink specials, and many gave free toasts to the health of the Empress. Very few pockets of anti-monarchy sentiment remain in Kalistan's cities, and most people involved certainly appreciated the free drinks and food, even if their toasts to the Empress were less than full-throated.

Most of those interviewed said that they were proud to have such a beautiful and intelligent level headed monarch as Empress. "She's a role model," said Jennifer Bennante, of Vrassa City. "I mean, I've watched her for years, and as she kind of came up through the Party, I would always think, you know, 'will she be the one? Will she do it?' and here she is. I mean those kinds of heights are not really something we can achieve, because I wasn't born in that family, but of all the geezers they have had while they were looking for the right candidate, I'm really glad they picked a smart one, and she's pretty too." Another partygoer and well wisher, Tommy Abernathy, said "Yeah, I wish her well. She's the Empress right? The one who is gonna be? I mean, just became, right? Anyway, if she's like the symbol of this country, I don't think we could ever ask for a better on. Go on Your Highness. You will make us proud!"

Chancellor Johnson stated that the Empress would like the opportunity to travel now that the coronation is over, and meet various other heads of State. "She looks forward and visiting the land of her ancestors in Lourenne as a sitting Anantonese Empress. She would also like to visit Lodamun and Dolgava, and see Hutori. She also made a special point of noting that she wants to visit Indrala in her first year. There has long been talk of a new Friendship Treaty between Kalistan and Indrala, and she has said that it is her intention to make this happen. Her list of places to visit is quite long."

We here at The Republic wish Her Imperial Majesty well as she begins a new phase of her life and career.

Editor's Note: As with the last Imperial Period, The Republic will likely not change its name. Our Paper Predates the Anantos in Kalistan, and we have long built this brand as an independent source of reliable and factual news in Kalistan. We serve as the Canon of History. We will continue that tradition during which ever constitutional Arrangement Kalistan happens to find itself in, and will keep our Brand in tact. --FGG, Editor in Chief of The Kalistani Republic

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National Government takes up the cause of Addressing Poverty
"This is the cause of our Lifetime," said Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 15, 5458


Chancellor Johnson addresses Institutionalist Party meeting last week on Poverty

"Poverty continues to grow in Kalistan's Cities," declared Chancellor Johnson, last Wednesday at the weekly Institutionalist Informal Caucus, "and we as a Party must commit to combatting it. This is the cause of our lifetime!" During his keynote address at the coffee for Party leaders, Civic leaders and Student activists, Johnson laid out his government's plan for doing just that.

Johnson said that the Government will return to the cause of urban renewal and construction of new affordable homes. "For a long time, this government has relied on private capital to create homes for people. But the developers like to focus on creating high end housing to serve folks with lots of money. They like to focus on what the kids are referring to as gentrification. I regret to inform you, gentrification prices poor folks out of neighborhoods that they have long lived in, just because they can't afford skyrocketting rents and sharply increasing local property taxes." Part of the program involves a ₭500 Billion investment in increasing the housing stock in several cities in both Ananto and Kalistan, and then a strong push at the national level for rent controls. "The Empress herself has requested that we take definitive steps to get rents under control. This is a burden that we will bear, and we want property owners to share in it as well." The Chancellor committed to bringing a National Rent Control bill to the floor in the National Assembly within six months.

The Chancellor also wants to jumpstart the National MagLev rail construction program in Ananto. "We are looking for private contribution, from businesses and individual investors here in Ananto who would benefit in the long run from increased and improved infrastructure construction," said Johnson. "To seed the project, Her Imperial Majesty herself has pledged ₭10 million over the next 5 years and challenges both foreign and domestic investors to match her giving. This sustainable, clean and rapid mass transit will be a tremendous boost to the economic health and well being for the people of Ananto, and we need to start it soon."

Finally, the Chancellor has pledged to revitalize the National Service Program. "We would like to work with both public and private sector businesses to introduce into the NSP some skills prep for the work force. Over the years, while the NSP does serve as a public sector army of sorts for Kalistan's youth, there has been a growing skills mismatch between what the NSP provides and what businesses need. We need people who are engineers, people who are technicians, people who can give Kalistan an edge in international finance, in addition to the plumbers, electricians, surveyors, and general labor skills provided by the NSP. This proposal would layer a secondary skill set through the NSP, to give members an opportunity to exercise and train in other aptitudes in addition to the skills they currently acquire, so that employers aren't having to spend a lot of money on training. That money then can go to hiring more workers, or increasing salaries and benefits for workers who are already on the job."

The Chancellor was asked if the Government would tamper with ZPG strategies to encourage investment, and he was clear. "No. The Kalistani Ruble is rock solid, and we will stick with zero percent growth as long as I am the Chancellor. There is no reason to deliberately take a jackhammer to the foundation of our Nation's economy. Does it mean we miss out on some opportunities? Certainly. But fundamental conservatism around ZPG is not a bad thing. We should strive to reinforce what actually works in our economy, not cave to liberal siren songs about opening up to the world neoliberal economic order, or their gloom and doom scenarios about the imminent collapse of the Ruble-- how many centuries have they been trying to use their flawed models to predict the Ruble's collapse? And yet, because our currency and our banking system is built on the mitigation of risk, rather than the adoption of it, we strangely seem to avoid most financial crises that plague other nations? Miraculous-- not really, but why would this Government tamper with that?"

Overall, the Chancellor was quick to note, "These are only our marquee proposals for combatting Poverty, and this is really just a first stab at the problem. It will take a lot of creativity and a lot of time. But Her Imperial Majesty is clear: She requires us all to get to work on the growing plight of the poor in Ananto and Kalistan, and to spare no means to accomplish this gargantuan task. We hope you will all work with Her Majesty's Government in taking steps toward addressing the complex issues of poverty, and making a serious effort toward improving the lives of Kalistanis across this nation."

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Ladies Invitational Bowling Tournament held in Kaliburg
Empress Nicolette finishes tournament Second Over all
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 7, 5459


Her Imperial Majesty bowls a strike at the Kaliburg Ladies Invitational

The Kaliburg Ladies Invitational Bowling Tournament was held this year in the Capital, and for the first time in its storied history, featured royalty. The Ladies Invitational is a bowling invitational tournament held once every four years, and is staggered with the Men's Invitational held at the same intervals. This year's single elimination tournament featured 32 of the best female bowlers who competed over four days in both doubles and singles play. The first three rounds, from 32 to 16, then 16 to 8 and then 8 to 4 are doubles matches, where Ladies are paired up based on their league standings. They keep the same teams until 4 bowlers are left, and then the team plays two sets as single, the first set dropping the lowest two scores, and the championship match featuring the two best bowlers in the Nation.

Her IMperial Majesty, the Empress Nicolette I was invited to the tournament due to her outstanding ranking in the Eveari Singles Thursday Night League, and was paired with Donita Forrester from Vrassa City. The Pair went three-and-0 in the all three matches in the first round, easily advancing, then 2-1 in the second round and then 3-0 in the third round. In the singles' sets, Donita Forrester was knocked out, finishing 3rd, while the Empress found herself in the finals against Sulari Bowler and Duchy Legend Hillary Jones. During this set, the Empress bowled a perfect 300 game, but Jones tied the set up 272-265 and in the third match, defeated the Empress 285-260. Jones was crowned winner for the night, and the Empress congratulated her on her excellent competition.

Empress Nicolette is the first member of the Ananto House to ever compete in a national bowling tournament. Asked at the end of the tournament how she felt coming in second, Her Imperial Majesty responded, "Well, I am honored to be among such excellent bowlers. Each one of these Ladies played their hearts out, and it is very encouraging for me, as such an outspoken fan of this sport to see such enthusiasm and skill on display. I, of course admire Hillary: She did some amazing things out there on the lanes, and her technique is very impressive to me. She kind of proves to me what my friends always told me when I was just starting: The straight ball will only take you so far. Hillary had a great hook, put it into the pocket every time, and picked up difficult spares, and even though I bowled better than I have ever bowled in my life, she really deserved her win. I'm happy to have gotten to compete."

The tournament completed, the competitors stuck around after for the Celebration Party, featuring live music and dancing from Kaliburg's own King Pins, who featured covers of popular rock songs, and bowling related humor. The Empress stayed for the celebration and took many photos with fellow competitors, well wishers, spectators and fans. "I am glad I get nights like this where I don't have to be the Empress, and just be my regular self," said Her Imperial Majesty.

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Affordable Housing Highlighted by Health and Social Services
New Construction starting across the Empire
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 8, 5459


New affordable multi-family construction in Lolla Kaliburg, featuring murals from Gaduri artist Guadalupe Cruz

The Imperial Government under Institutionalist Chancellor Michael Johnson has begun a new building program in earnest across the cities and towns of the Empire. New Construction on the first Affordable units is being completed in Kaliburg, Sulari, and Addisjah, some of the areas with the greatest need. Overall, the aim is to begin a process of vertical development in areas long left empty during the periods of Urban Renewal.

As part of the National Rent Control Act, by command of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Nicolette, the Government of Kalistan has put a bill on the floor which will establish rent control set at no more than 10 percent of Disposable Income. In law, the Nation owns all housing (a relic of the Socialist Party era), but in practice, many people rent living space to families on a private basis. This law aims to clamp down on this practice, reasserting the role of the Nation in housing. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Samuel Carruthers, hailed the Fiat Proclamation, and spoke eloquently on the bill when it was put before the Legislature.

"Friends, we welcome this development to ensure that Kalistan is able to live up to its promises. Her Imperial Majesty's vision and leadership on this important issue is the motive force for these changes in our Nation. Long have the people waited for the Government to summon the political courage to take this step on behalf of the poor and homeless in Kalistan. And now, finally, it looks like we will make good on the promise we have made for generations. It cannot happen too soon, for the nearly 1 million of Kalistani Citizens who sleep nightly on the street, in their cars, or on the couch of a friend. Housing security, and with it, food and job security are within our grasp, and we should enthusiastically embrace these advancements in the interests of the people of this Empire!"

Thus far, in the previous year, more than 1500 units have been opened up for Kalistani Occupancy in Ananto, Suldanor, and Vrassa. There is an estimated need of 250,000 units across the Empire. The Rent Control act directs NSP activities toward building new multi-family residences across the Empire to begin meeting this need, and new construction will be with us for some time. Landlords who currently rent to individuals will receive a year of subsidies to help them make up for lost income on their rental properties. Part of the time limit, said Carruthers, is to encourage those with more property than they need to take care of their family, to sell that property off, so that the Ministry can make it available to residents. "The issue is, of course many saw housing as an investment," said the Minister. "So they were going to attempt to extract as much wealth out of their property as they could get away with. But of course, that does not allow our society to meet the needs of the people of Kalistan, so our goal is to alleviate this problem by attacking it both on the supply and the demand side."

National Rent Control (Bill: http://classic.particracy.net/viewbill.p...lid=702039) will go into effect in Kalistan on May 1, 5460. Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress has lent her full support to this bill, and has commanded the Chancellor to put it on the floor of the National Assembly for ratification.